Dabang Mumbai News

The stage is set; top four teams are ready to take on the challenge of the semi-final stage of Hero Hockey India League 2014

The excitement unfolds on Saturday…

Ranchi, 20 February 2014: Post 26 days of excitement and 30 games of world class hockey, giving the hockey lovers a 360 degree dose of complete entertainment, the Hero Hockey India League enters its semi-final stage on Saturday. The last 3 weeks gave everyone an opportunity to catch the 6 franchise teams battling it out for a berth in the semi-finals and which, will now witness the top four teams playing for the Finale. While many are making their own individual calculations, it is yet to be seen who makes it to the grand stage and who yet again misses out on the trophy. Who proves oneself as the ‘Gaurav’ of the League and who as the major find for one’s national side.

Ranchi is all waiting for the first semi-final match between Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards which will be followed by Jaypee Punjab Warriors against the 2013 title holders Ranchi Rhinos.

Though Delhi Waveriders missed out on the top slot on the points table they will have their work cut out, to beat the Wizards and qualify for the finals while on the other hand Roelant Oltmans coached Uttar Pradesh Wizards will still have last year’s semi-final match against Ranchi Rhinos fresh in their minds and this time around they will be in no mood to miss out on the bus to the Finale. What will be interesting to see if Sardar Singh led Waveriders can create the much required fight to beat Raghunath and his team on the given day.

On the other hand it is the Jaypee Punjab Warriors who are pitted against the defending Champions Ranchi Rhinos and which, for both the teams will be their third match in succession. While in the last 2 matches the Warriors proved themselves as the better team but they will not forget that the Rhinos were playing with their key players missing out because of injuries. With Jaypee Punjab Warriors wanting to continue their onslaught up to the Finale, Ranchi Rhinos will go all out to defend the title that they came in with into the 2nd season of HHIL 2014 and in front of their home crowd.

Speaking on their journey till now, Coach Gregg Clark of Ranchi Rhinos said, “Our performance against Jaypee Punjab Warriors was not up to the mark and we again are slotted to play against them in the semis. We are targeting to reverse the previous two losses and win the semis. The team is practicing hard and also going through the video analysis of our last few matches. We will be playing on our home turf and with the support of the home team which will be a great advantage as the support will keep us motivated.”

Speaking on their performance in the League and qualifying for the semi-finals, Coach Cedric D’Souza of Delhi Waveriders said, “The pool stage matches were a good experience for the team. We had couple of hick ups in some games and the team has learnt from them. Nevertheless, good thing is that we have qualified for the semi finals. 6-7 players were majorly under the attack of flu but I am happy that we will be playing with the full strength on Saturday. Semi Finals is just like a lottery and whichever team plays well will get into finals. We will be fully utilizing our strength and try to exploit the weakness of the opponent team. It will be a tough match and we will try to overcome the same in the coming days.”

Speaking on team’s performance and future in the league, Coach Barry Dancer of Jaypee Punjab Warriors said, “We had a great journey during the pool stage matches and the team continued to improve during each match it played. I think we have improved with every game and are a much better team now while entering the crucial stage of the League. Players are excited for the upcoming semi final match and are taking the challenge to play in front of a passionate and hockey loving Ranchi crowd.”

Speaking on Uttar Pradesh Wizards qualifying for the semis of HHIL 2014, Coach Reolant Oltmans said, “It’s been a great season. We qualified for the semi-final last year and this year we look forward to make it to the final. All the teams have played some great games during the pool stage. We had a great momentum in the 1st week of the start of the tournament and we look forward to keep that same momentum going. We are waiting to play challenging hockey over the weekend.”

Which team will be seen on the grand stage of HHIL 2014 Finale is yet to be seen. The battle for the Finale kicks off at 5.30pm pm on Saturday with the clash between Delhi Waveriders taking on Uttar Pradesh Wizards followed by Jaypee Punjab Warriors against Ranchi Rhinos at 8.00pm and which can be watched LIVE on Star Sports.